SmartBirds
In November, a joint team of the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) and the Electrodistribution Grid West ЕAD successfully installed 50 nest boxes (houses) for European roller.
© Svilen Cheshmedziev
The European roller is a protected species that nests in holes in earth slopes, rock niches, stone walls, tree hollows, and in cavities of concrete electricity poles. The population of this blue-colored bird began to suffer a drastic decline in the 1950s. The use of pesticides was an important factor in the extinction.
© Svilen Cheshmedziev
The joint team of BSPB and Electrodistribution Grid West ЕAD placed a total of 50 nest boxes on electric concrete poles, located in suitable habitats in the protected areas “Svishtovsko-Belenska nizina “, “Belenski Ostrovi Complex”, “Obnova”, “Devetashko Plateau” and “Studenets”. These are one of the most important breeding areas for this attractive species in Bulgaria. By the end of the year, 27 more nest boxes for Red-footed Falcon are to be placed, which will bring their number to 50.
© Svilen Cheshmedziev
These activities are carried out within the project “LIFE Danube Free Sky” (LIFE19 NAT/SK/001023), funded by the EU LIFE programme.
